Susan Sarandon, Jim Sturgess to Star in THE BIG SHOE

AngelWorld Entertainment (AWE), who on Saturday announced the launch of their $150m equity fund, will finance and produce THE BIG SHOE, a sexy comedic drama directed by Steven Shainberg (Secretary), from a script by Shainberg and Mickey Birnbaum. The film will star Jim Sturgess (One Day, Across the Universe) and Academy Award Winner Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking, Robot & Frank, The Snitch), who can next be seen together in Tom Tykwer, Andy and Lana Wachowski’s Cloud Atlas. Andrew Lazar’s Mad Chance Productions will produce alongside AngelWorld Entertainment’s Darby Angel. HanWay Films will be handling international sales while CAA will represent the North American rights.

With filming set to begin in fall 2012, The Big Shoe follows Nate (Sturgess), a gifted shoe designer forced to break free from a family who want to cheapen his art for their own commercial gain. Overbearing mother Irene (Sarandon) hires a psychotherapist and a ‘muse’ to lure Nate back to work.

Director Steve Shainberg said: “The Big Shoe provides the opportunity to explore a playful, romantic, sexy, intimate connection just as ‘Secretary’ did. The script combines eroticism and humor in such a unique way – where shoes are better than sex.”

AWE’s Darby Angel said: “This project has all the elements we were looking for to satisfy our financing model. The script is strong, as is the cast and the creative team. It’s great to work with an experienced and reputable producer like Lazar. The Big Shoe ticks all the boxes, especially as our investment criteria are non-negotiable.”

Georgina Goodman, the acclaimed shoe designer from England, will design the footwear showcased throughout the film. Recently, Goodman designed a pair of wedding shoes commissioned by the Royal Mint to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Only eleven pairs of the to-die-for shoes were produced, with the first gone to Kate Middleton.

Sturgess is represented by Megan Willis of Garricks (UK) and CAA, Sarandon by ICM and Shainberg by Sara Bottfeld and Jess Rosenthal of Industry Entertainment. The deal was negotiated by CAA.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.